Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences MSc

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Physics and Astronomy

Year of entry: 2026

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MSc | 1 year | Start date: September 2026

Key facts

School

School of Physics and Astronomy

College

College of Science and Engineering

Programme website
Study location

King's Buildings campus

Accreditation

Not available

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About the degree programme

Astrobiology and the planetary sciences are rigorous interdisciplinary subjects.

Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe: its origin, evolution, distribution, and future. In many ways, its ask the biggest possible questions - about life, the universe and everything in between.

This field brings together biology, planetary science, astronomy, cosmology, chemistry and geology to tackle fundamental questions such as:

  • how did life begin on Earth?
  • how has it managed to survive and evolve for around 4 billion years?
  • could life exist elsewhere in the universe? And if so, how would we find it?

Planetary sciences complement astrobiology by investigating the origin, diversity and behaviour of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and solar systems. You’ll also learn about space missions, advanced instrumentation, and how scientists design experiments to search for biosignatures on other worlds.

Together, these sciences offer a broad and satisfying perspective on our own place in the universe. In the context of space exploration, these sciences also have interesting policy, legal, and ethical implications.

On this programme you will develop:

  • interdisciplinary skills and expertise
  • confidence and autonomy in planning and executing research
  • insight into contemporary debates

You will think critically about astrobiology and planetary science in their social contexts. You will discover how different scientific approaches address fundamental questions about life.

As a student on this programme you will be integrated into the UK Centre for Astrobiology. The Centre is one of the world's leading hubs for interdisciplinary astrobiology research. The programme is deeply connected to current and future missions to Mars, Venus, icy moons like Europa and Titan, and the rapidly expanding field of exoplanet research.

MSc Directors introduce the postgraduate programme in Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences.

Programme rankings

  • Ranked top 20 in the Guardian University Guide 2025 by subject

Programme benefits

  • The Institute for Astronomy (IfA), one of the School's research institutes, is based at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh.
  • Engage directly with the UK Centre for Astrobiology, based in our School, through seminars and research at the UK’s national hub for astrobiology.

One of the highlights has been getting to connect with the UK Centre for Astrobiology, particularly with the PhD students, postdocs, and even the lecturers running our programme, which I think is quite unique to being part of a small cohort.

Madeleine MSc in Astrobiology and Planetary Science, graduated 2024

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.

Living costs include:

  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel, clothes, books and stationery
  • recreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)

Living costs

Accommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.

University postgraduate accommodation options and costs

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

We are offering twelve scholarships to applicants who have applied to study full-time on any taught programme in the School of Physics and Astronomy.

Value: £10,000
Eligibility: Applicants must have applied to study full-time on a taught Physics and Astronomy programme.
View details: Higgs scholarships

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a natural science or related discipline. 
 
We expect candidates to be highly numerate, with good results in quantitative subjects; and to be familiar with university-level concepts in at least two of the following subjects: physics (including geophysics, astrophysics, or biophysics), biology (including astrobiology, microbiology, molecular biology, palaeontology or evolution), chemistry (including geochemistry or biochemistry), planetary/geoscience, and astronomy. 
 
In addition to explaining your interest in both planetary science and astrobiology, your personal statement should summarise your scientific background, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinarity: how have you engaged with areas of science that were outside the main focus of your undergraduate programme (or major).

International qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

The taught element of the programme includes five compulsory courses and a minimum of three specialist courses which will bring you to an advanced level in the required subject material. 

You will also have the opportunity to select courses from a range of options depending on your interests and career ambitions.

Compulsory courses

  • Astrobiology: Theory
  • Project Design and Literature Analysis
  • Astrobiology: Methods
  • Social Dimensions of Astrobiology and Space Exploration
  • Dissertation (Semester 2+)

Option courses

  • Python Programming for the Life Sciences
  • Advanced Analytical and Characterisation Methods PGT
  • Space Law
  • Introductory Probability and Statistics
  • Biophysical Chemistry for MSc Biochemistry
  • Environmental Geochemistry
  • Principles and Practice of Remote Sensing
  • Planetary Science
  • Astrophysics: Stars and Planets

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will learn through a combination of lectures, practical work, literature study, oral presentations, and group projects.

Assessment

Dissertation

As well as the taught component, you will complete a three-month research project leading to a dissertation. There will be a list of project proposals for you to choose from. Projects are proposed by academics in the School of Physics and Astronomy, the School of Mathematics and the School of Geosciences. 

Recent dissertation topics have included:

  • Microbiological analysis of samples collected by astronauts on the International Space Station
  • Molecular analysis of fossils of early life on Earth
  • Laboratory simulations of microbial ecosystems in impact craters
  • Modelling of exoplanet spectra to support future space telescope missions
  • Biotechnological approaches to sustainable human activity in space
  • Giant Impacts and the Generation of Magma Oceans
  • Ever higher? Investigating the evolution of biological complexity with cellular automata.
  • Tacking the influence of thermal degradation and mineral interaction on fossil biosignatures.
  • The Biogenicity of Bleached Spots in Red Rocks on Earth and Mars
  • The Biogenicity of Stromatolites on Earth and Mars
  • Microbial colonization of asteroid and comet craters and the search for life on Mars
  • The importance of H2O opacity on planetary molecular abundance measurements
  • Biomorph Precipitation of Life-like Networks

Learning outcomes

This masters is designed to shape highly trained, critically minded, interdisciplinary scientists well-qualified for doctoral study and for a range of scientific, technical and other careers.

Support for your studies

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Our academic staff

Where you will study

Study location

You will be mostly based in the James Clerk Maxwell Building (JCMB) on the King’s Buildings campus, situated about 3 miles south of the city centre.

Some courses may also be taught at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh.

Physics and Astronomy MSc students will have access to a dedicated common room, which can be used for studying or socialising. 

The common room is based in the James Clerk Maxwell Building.

Career opportunities

The MSc in Astrobiology and Planetary Science will help you develop into a confident professional. We will equip you with the key skills you will need and help you identify and target suitable professional opportunities.

The programme provides a grounding for many potential career paths. This may include scientific research in areas of:

  • planetary sciences
  • astronomy
  • geology
  • biology and associated fields

You may also be able to pursue careers in:

  • science
  • pedagogy (teaching)
  • outreach
  • reporting
  • media
  • the civil service

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Due to its focus on concepts and methods that cut across traditional disciplinary boundaries, this programme is useful if you want to pursue an academic career.

Our approach will equip you with excellent research skills and position you to be a competitive PhD applicant.

Graduate profiles

Madeleine

Madeleine

Degree: Msc in Astrobiology and Planetary Science

Year of graduation: 2024

Current work: Graduate Consultant at Exotopic

My time at university was key in helping me build the hard skills I needed for the space sector. The classes on remote sensing gave the basics on how satellites work and the various ways they are used. The astrobiology courses taught me how space missions are set up as well as the global network of organisations and partnerships in making them happen. Learning how the relationships between academia, industry, and manufacturing form the foundation of so much of the work in this field was also valuable.

Read Madeleine's story

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

You apply online for this programme. After you read the application guidance, select your preferred programme, then choose 'Start your application' to begin.

If you are considering applying to more than one programme, you should be aware that we cannot consider more than 3 applications from the same applicant.

When to apply

Due to high demand, the school operates a number of selection deadlines.

We strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications may close earlier than the published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand.

We may make a small number of offers to the most outstanding candidates on an ongoing basis. However, the majority of applications will be held until the advertised deadline.

We aim to make the majority of decisions within eight weeks of the selection deadline.

If we have not made you an offer by a specific selection deadline this means one of two things:

  • your application has been unsuccessful, in which case we will contact you to let you know
  • your application is still being considered, it will be carried forward for consideration in the next selection deadline, and we will be in touch once a decision is made

The final deadline may be extended if any places remain on the programme.

If the final deadline is extended, we encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

Selection deadlines

RoundApplication deadlineDecisions made or applications rolled to the next deadline
115 December1 March
231 March31 May
331 May31 July

When to submit your supporting documents

You must submit all supporting documents by the application deadline, or we will be unable to consider your application. Regardless of when you apply, you have 28 days from submitting your application to supply any supporting documents through the Application Hub, after which we will automatically reject your application.

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

References

You must submit two references with your application.

Interview

Admission to this degree includes an interview. After we receive your application, we will invite suitable candidates to an interview with the Programme Director before making an offer.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

What our students say

In this special episode of the Tartan Tardigrade podcast, University of Edinburgh PhD candidate Mia Belle Frothingham interviews five current MSc students in the Astrobiology and Planetary Sciences programme. They discuss their academic interests, current research questions, and how the programme is supporting their long-term career goals.

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The University has a number of physics, astronomy and space related societies, including:

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Marketing and Recruitment Coordinator, Lara Caddeo
School of Physics and Astronomy
University of Edinburgh
James Clerk Maxwell Building, Peter Guthrie Tait Road
The King's Buildings Campus
Edinburgh
EH9 3FD

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5254

Academic contact

Dr Sean McMahon

Contact details

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